Is Iran set for Shah regime 2.0? Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has a message for Iranians: ‘The future is bright'
Amidst escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi asserts the Islamic Republic's collapse is imminent. He urges Iranians to rise up and reclaim their nation, envisioning a secular, democratic future. Pahlavi's statement arrives as speculation increases regarding potential international support for regime change in Tehran.
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As war rages between Iran and Israel, exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi has issued a dramatic message to his compatriots, declaring the Islamic Republic's collapse 'irreversible' and urging Iranians to rise up and 'reclaim Iran.'In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Pahlavi declared: 'The Islamic Republic has come to its end and is collapsing. What has begun is irreversible. The future is bright, and together we will turn the page of history. Now is the time to stand up; the time to reclaim Iran. May I be with you soon.'The eldest son of Iran's last monarch, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Reza was named Crown Prince in 1967 during his father's reign. He fled Iran in 1978 at age 17, shortly before the Shah's downfall and the 1979 Islamic Revolution that swept in a new era of clerical rule.Now based in the United States, Pahlavi leads the National Council of Iran, an exiled opposition group. A longstanding critic of the Islamic Republic, he has previously advocated for a peaceful transition to a secular, democratic government—one that would protect civil liberties, reintegrate Iran with the international community, and modernize its economy.His latest statement comes amid a spiraling conflict. Last Friday, Israel launched its largest airstrike campaign against Iran, citing imminent threats linked to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran, a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, denies pursuing nuclear weapons and maintains that its program is for peaceful purposes.The timing of Pahlavi's message is striking. With speculation swirling around U.S. and Israeli support for possible regime change in Tehran, the exiled prince's hopes for a return may seem more plausible than at any point in the past four decades.The monarchy's fall in 1979 followed growing unrest over corruption, westernization, and the sale of Iran's resources to foreign interests. The revolution led to the end of the Pahlavi dynasty and the rise of the Islamic Republic.Now, with Iran facing deep internal and external pressure, Reza Pahlavi is once again positioning himself as a potential figurehead for a post-Islamic Republic Iran.
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First Post
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- First Post
Iran's exiled prince claims Supreme Leader Khamenei ‘hiding like a rat'. Who is Reza Pahlavi?
Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran's pro-Western monarchy, is the son of the country's last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The monarchy was overthrown in 1979 after a mass revolution brought clerical leaders to power and led to the creation of the Islamic Republic. Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Pahlavi has called for a change in leadership in Tehran, describing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a 'frightened rat' who has gone into hiding read more He is the son of Iran's last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Reuters/File Photo Amid growing tensions with Israel and rising unrest in Iran, exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi has called for a change of leadership in Tehran. In a post on X, Pahlavi claimed that Iran's Supreme Leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had 'gone into hiding underground' and no longer had control over the country. He called the situation 'irreversible'. He also referred to Khamenei as a 'frightened rat who has gone into hiding'. Read Israel Iran conflict live updates STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is worth noting that freedom of speech in Iran is tightly controlled, and there have been no large-scale public calls within the country to remove the regime following Israel's strikes. But who is Reza Pahlavi? And what do his latest remarks suggest? Let's take a look: Who is exiled prince Reza Pahlavi? Reza Pahlavi was once the crown prince of Iran's pro-Western monarchy, which collapsed in 1979 after a mass revolution led to the rise of the clerical leadership that founded the Islamic Republic. He is the son of Iran's last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. ALSO READ | What is the Fattah-1 missile that Iran has launched at Israel? At 17, Reza left for military school in the United States shortly before his father, suffering from cancer, stepped down on January 16, 1979. His supporters include secularists, constitutional monarchists, and liberal democrats, who see him as the rightful heir to the throne. Reuters/File Photo The Shah's exit created a power vacuum, which was quickly filled by Ruhollah Khomeini. This was the beginning of Iran's shift into a conservative theocracy, largely cut off from the West. Since then, Reza Pahlavi has remained focused on a single mission: bringing about a peaceful revolution to replace the current regime with a secular democracy led by the Iranian people. His political thinking has been shaped by the nonviolent principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. While he holds no official role in Iran, he has built a symbolic presence among parts of the Iranian diaspora and some Iranians hoping for reform. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pahlavi is a vocal supporter of a democratic, secular Iran and has recently stepped up his efforts to gain international support for Iranian protestors and a nonviolent end to the current regime. His supporters include secularists, constitutional monarchists, and liberal democrats, who see him as the rightful heir to the throne. They also regard him as a determined figure who, last year, represented Iranian democratic hopes in meetings at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Munich Security Conference, and in Israel. Even as Iran and Israel remain bitter rivals, Pahlavi has proposed a vision: a 'Cyrus Accords' between Israel and a future, post-Ayatollah Iran. 'Pahlavi travels the world meeting with heads of state, legislators, policy-makers, interest groups and student groups speaking about the plight of Iranians under the Islamic regime in Iran… He calls for regime change through non-violent civil disobedience, and for a free and open referendum on a new government of Iran,' his website reads. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who are the Pahlavis? The Pahlavis were Iran's last royal family, rising to power in 1925 when Reza Shah Pahlavi, a former military officer, removed the Qajar dynasty. He launched huge modernisation plans, including new roads, schools, and a centralised military. However, his authoritarian rule and ties with Nazi Germany during World War II led Allied powers to force him out in 1941. His son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, took the throne and ruled from 1941 until 1979. By the late 1970s, anger had built up over political repression, unequal wealth, and the Shah's close links with the West, especially the United States. These frustrations led to mass protests and unrest. In 1979, after months of demonstrations, the Shah left the country. Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile soon after and declared the formation of the Islamic Republic. He accused Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of 'dragging Iran into a war' with Israel. Reuters/File Photo 'Break from the regime': What Reza Pahlavi said amid West Asia tensions On Friday, Reza Pahlavi urged Iran's security forces to walk away from the clerical regime, stating that the Islamic Republic could soon fall following Israeli military action. He accused Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of 'dragging Iran into a war' with Israel and said the regime was 'weak and divided.' 'It could fall. As I have told my compatriots: Iran is yours and yours to reclaim. I am with you. Stay strong and we will win,' he said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD My Fellow Countrymen, The Islamic Republic has reached its end and is in the process of collapsing. Khamenei, like a frightened rat, has gone into hiding underground and has lost control of the situation. What has begun is irreversible. The future is bright, and together, we… — Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) June 17, 2025 'I have told the military, police, and security forces: break from the regime. Honour the oath of any honourable serviceman. Join the people.' ALSO READ | Who was Ali Shadmani? Who are Iran's other top military officials killed by Israel? Now living in exile near Washington, Pahlavi says he is not pushing for a return of the monarchy, but wants to use his name to support the push for a secular, democratic Iran. Israel, which views the Islamic Republic as a major threat, had once been an ally of Iran under the Shah. Reza Pahlavi has maintained warm ties with Israel and visited the country two years ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He has often described the Islamic Republic as fragile, including during the 2022 protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by Iran's morality police for breaching 'modest' dress rules for women. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
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Ayatollah Khamenei warns Donald Trump-led US of 'irreparable consequences'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday reacted to US President Donald Trump's warning that the country should "unconditionally surrender", saying Tehran doesn't answer well to the "language of threat". He also said Israel's attack on Iran is a huge mistake. "Israel made a huge mistake and will be punished for that," he said in a speech. He said Iran will not accept an imposed peace or war. Referring to Trump's threats, he said: "Those who know Iran's history know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threat". He also issued a stern message to the United States. "They should know that Iran will not surrender, and any US strike will have serious, irreparable consequences," he added. A series of powerful Israeli airstrikes rocked the Iranian capital early Wednesday, marking the most direct and intense escalation yet in a weeklong military campaign aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. The strikes came just hours after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran's residents to evacuate and demanded Iran's 'unconditional surrender.' Trump also warned that the US knows where Iran has hidden Khamenei. "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter," he wrote on Truth Social.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
'This is not our war' — UFC star Sean Strickland warns Donald Trump to avoid foreign affairs following the President's bold take on Iran
In a blunt and fiery message to President , former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland made his position loud and clear: the United States has no business getting involved in the escalating war between Israel and Iran. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As Trump teased possible military action and shared ominous statements on social media, Strickland used his platform to urge restraint, warning that such a move would go against the will of the American people. Sean Strickland slams Trump's war talk, says focus should be on home Sean Strickland, a vocal supporter of Trump in the past, reacted strongly to a Truth Social post where the president claimed the U.S. military had control of the Iranian sky. "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff.' Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA," Trump shared on X, sharing a screenshot of his post on his own social media platform, Truth Social. The 34-year-old fighter didn't hold back, responding directly on X Strickland slammed the President's stance on the matter, "America doesn't want to be involved in Israel's war...... This is not our war. We don't want it. You were elected by the people. Listen to the people who elected you. WE DO NOT WANT THIS!!!!" Strickland's comments arrive amid growing concerns that Trump may be preparing to commit American forces to the Middle East. On Air Force One, Trump told reporters, 'We're looking at better than a cease-fire. We're not looking for a cease-fire. I didn't say that I was looking for a cease-fire" (via Fox News). He also insisted there was no immediate threat to Tehran, yet encouraged its residents to evacuate due to "a lot of bad things happening. ' Strickland, who previously voiced his stance on Trump after his UFC 302 win over Paulo Costa, is now openly questioning the administration's priorities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Back in February, after reports surfaced about an $8 billion arms deal with Israel, Strickland posted, "Man if Trump keeps this bs up I'm about to start waving a Palestinian flag… American cities are sh**holes and you wanna go spend billions on this dumpster fire. . Did we make a mistake?! This ain't America first." Also Read: As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, Trump is calling for Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.' Strickland has positioned himself as an unlikely voice of restraint as he prioritizes America over global matters.
